Political, Religious, and Social History of 20th Century England
Monarchs
England started out the 20th century with a new monarch when Queen Victoria died in 1901 and Edward VII ascended the throne.
In 1910 when Edward died, George V took over, beginning the House of Windsor. His reign lasted through World War I as well as through the rise of the corrupt governments that led to World War II.
In 1936, upon George V's death, he was succeeded by his son Edward. He became engaged to an American woman that his country did not approve of and chose to step down from the throne. After this, his brother, George VI took over.
After George's death in 1952, his daughter Elizabeth was named queen. She remains on the throne to this day.
Queen Elizabeth
Foreign Affairs
Through the century, the nation was involved in the Second Boer War as well as World War I and World War II.
The Second Boer War began in 1899 against the Dutch-descended Boer groups of South Africa in rebellion to English annexation of the region. A vicious war with many casualties, it was finally ended in 1902 with the British giving the Boer's a promise of eventual limited self-government.
In 1914, Britain declared war on Germany, the beginning of their involvement in World War I. They were crucial in the Battle of the Marne, aiding the French in pushing back the Germans. This war lasted until the German's signed the Armistice in 1918.
World War II began for England in September of 1939 with fear of German attacks causing many British citizens to evacuate their children from big cities although many returned home soon. Over the course of the war about a million houses were damaged or destroyed and around 40,000 citizens were killed.
Social Issues
Economic and social changes of the time allowed for a slightly less rigid societal structure than that of the past.
The Labour party was founded at the start of the century to represent low-class workers. By 1945, it won a majority in parliament. It is now the leading political party.
The introduction of new inventions- from radio to television to computers -aided in the country's advancement into a new era. The BBC began in 1922 as a radio broadcaster. Film grew to become a very popular past-time by the 1930s.
The Great Depression caused economic hardship during the 1930s. Unemployment rose until 1933, then began a constant decline. The hardship led to some political changes, with two new prime ministers during the decade- first Conservative Stanley Baldwin in 1935 then Neville Chamberlain in 1937.
Another recession occured from 1980 to 1982, causing sharp rises in unemployment. A major coal miner strike occured as a reaction of unions to the government's action, lasting from 1984-85 with the miner's union being defeated.
Neville Chamberlain
Great strides in a liberal direction occured during this century. Universal suffrage was finally granted in 1928.
In 1967, both homosexuality and abortion were made legal (homosexuality limited to those over 21). In 1968 censorship of the theatre was abolished.
Corporal punishment in public schools was gradually abolished from the 1970s to 80s.
Religion
Different Christian denominations remained the predominant religious practices in England during the 20th century with the Church of England remaining as the State Church (a mixture of Catholic and Protestant elements).
The last century also showed increases in the populations practicing many other religions- especially in the years after the 1950s. Some of these include large Jewish communities as well as Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Buddhist communities.
Monarchs
In 1910 when Edward died, George V took over, beginning the House of Windsor. His reign lasted through World War I as well as through the rise of the corrupt governments that led to World War II.
Foreign Affairs
Through the century, the nation was involved in the Second Boer War as well as World War I and World War II.
The Second Boer War began in 1899 against the Dutch-descended Boer groups of South Africa in rebellion to English annexation of the region. A vicious war with many casualties, it was finally ended in 1902 with the British giving the Boer's a promise of eventual limited self-government.
In 1914, Britain declared war on Germany, the beginning of their involvement in World War I. They were crucial in the Battle of the Marne, aiding the French in pushing back the Germans. This war lasted until the German's signed the Armistice in 1918.
World War II began for England in September of 1939 with fear of German attacks causing many British citizens to evacuate their children from big cities although many returned home soon. Over the course of the war about a million houses were damaged or destroyed and around 40,000 citizens were killed.
Social Issues
Economic and social changes of the time allowed for a slightly less rigid societal structure than that of the past.
The Labour party was founded at the start of the century to represent low-class workers. By 1945, it won a majority in parliament. It is now the leading political party.
The introduction of new inventions- from radio to television to computers -aided in the country's advancement into a new era. The BBC began in 1922 as a radio broadcaster. Film grew to become a very popular past-time by the 1930s.
The Great Depression caused economic hardship during the 1930s. Unemployment rose until 1933, then began a constant decline. The hardship led to some political changes, with two new prime ministers during the decade- first Conservative Stanley Baldwin in 1935 then Neville Chamberlain in 1937.
Another recession occured from 1980 to 1982, causing sharp rises in unemployment. A major coal miner strike occured as a reaction of unions to the government's action, lasting from 1984-85 with the miner's union being defeated.
Great strides in a liberal direction occured during this century. Universal suffrage was finally granted in 1928.
In 1967, both homosexuality and abortion were made legal (homosexuality limited to those over 21). In 1968 censorship of the theatre was abolished.
Corporal punishment in public schools was gradually abolished from the 1970s to 80s.
Religion
Different Christian denominations remained the predominant religious practices in England during the 20th century with the Church of England remaining as the State Church (a mixture of Catholic and Protestant elements).
The last century also showed increases in the populations practicing many other religions- especially in the years after the 1950s. Some of these include large Jewish communities as well as Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Buddhist communities.
sources:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/615557/United-Kingdom/44685/Religion
http://www.localhistories.org/20thengland.html
http://www.victorianweb.org/history/historytl.html